Avanti West Coast via Settle (for WCML Bridge replacement next January?)

[tram21]

Am currently on the 0909 from Crewe to Carlisle.

Its lovely weather, so I'm happy in that regard.

We were 15 late leaving Preston due to a door fault onboard then now we're stuck behind the Clitheroe stopper and have had two extended waits so far and not gone particularly far, now 30 minutes down.

The connection onto the Glasgow Central service looks unlikely now; its all very well 'keeping people on trains' and timetabling connections, but if the trains are so unreliable I'd rather be on a coach that will at least get me there when advertised.

And also the fact that I should have got a first class ticket if I'm going to get all the money back!!!

EDIT: We did in fact miss the connection arriving around 40 minutes down, but ticket acceptance was agreed with the next TPE service and this was excellently communicated to us so kudos to Avanti for that!! A great journey really despite the delay- the train manager announcements about the route really added to the experience and I highly recommend it for the April diversions to anyone thats not done it this time!

 

[ainsworth74]

That. Is. A. Disgrace!

Very good

 

[185143]

Wondering if maybe the 805s have less catering capacity than 390s? As this seems to be a bit of "a thing" where people are reporting stuff running out on the diverts, myself twice included.

Or is it the fact that they've very much got more of a "leisure" feel, based on the two runs I've done, people maybe being more likely to go and get something as they're on a jolly rather than daily commuting?

 

[Watershed]

Back then the blockade was only north of Oxenholme so it was possible to travel outbound on Northern Pacer from Lancaster via Giggleswick. I had a very leisurely connection time to walk over to Settle and pick up a Northern 156 from Leeds to Carlisle.

That was possible during this blockade as well; TPE were running as far as Oxenholme (and Northern to Windermere). I took the 'Little North Western' on my way back from Carlisle last week.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Can anyone please confirm that early April and a few weekends in April is when the next Avanti trains will run over the Settle and Carlisle? Are there any other diversions planned after this?

 

[Carlisle]

Wondering if maybe the 805s have less catering capacity than 390s? As this seems to be a bit of "a thing" where people are reporting stuff running out on the diverts, myself twice included.

DHL don’t have a base in Carlisle so restocking only occurs in Preston or further south for those heading or originating there.

 

[dk1]

Can anyone please confirm that early April and a few weekends in April is when the next Avanti trains will run over the Settle and Carlisle? Are there any other diversions planned after this?

Yes I was just thinking the same thing. Looking at booking hotels as fancy doing it again. Just can’t find out confirmed dates. Any help gratefully appreciated.

 

[The Planner]

Yes I was just thinking the same thing. Looking at booking hotels as fancy doing it again. Just can’t find out confirmed dates. Any help gratefully appreciated.

Check RTT from tomorrow, there will be plenty of opportunities.

 

[Kittypig]

I booked first class and they failed to supply any food service. They would not compensate me. I took it to the Ombudsman who said that Avanti said there was first class food service, whereas Avanti admitted there was no first class food service. Astounding Trumpian gaslighting. I am now reporting this to the Press for national scrutiny.

 

[dk1]

Check RTT from tomorrow, there will be plenty of opportunities.

Good call. Cheers ta!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Jan 2026 ==

Timetable looks good again and it’s all week Puts me off if having to go at weekends.

 

[Bahnopa]

To which dates are we referring? I found the diversions on the first weekend in April on RTT - are there others?

 

[dk1]

To which dates are we referring? I found the diversions on the first weekend in April on RTT - are there others?

I was looking at w/c Monday 13th although I’m hoping that’s not half term now as that’ll put me off too!!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

To which dates are we referring? I found the diversions on the first weekend in April on RTT - are there others?

From RTT it appears to be April 4-5 (Sat/Sun) and April 11-19 (9 days).
Easter Day is April 5, so there appear to be no diversions on Easter Monday.

The train headcodes are 1Zxx on the first weekend, and 1Txx for the later diversions, I don't know if that signifies anything.

Realtime Trains | Departures from Hellifield all day on 13/04/2026

Train information at Hellifield all day on 13/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Mag_seven]

With the January diverts now over we will bring this thread to a close. If anyone wants to start a new thread about future diverts then they are of course welcome to do so.